Offset Table of Stern Alterations

Designer Ben Lexcen (1936 - 1988)

Datec 1980

Object numberANMS1543[200]

NamePlan

MediumPencil on graphed tracing paper

Dimensions300 x 415

ClassificationsMaps, charts and plans

Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds

Terms

DescriptionBen Lexcen handwritten table of offsets, made in 1978/79 during the re-design and re-build of the 12mR ‘AUSTRALIA’ (KA-5).HistoryFollowing the failure to win the coveted America’s cup with ‘SOUTHERN STAR’ (KA-4) in 1974, Alan Bond commissioned Ben Lexcen (then Bob Miller) to design a new yacht for the following series. Ben Lexcen teamed up with Dutch yacht designer Johan Valentijn, for the original design of the 12mR ‘AUSTRALIA’ (KA-5) in 1975. They spent several months at the University of Delft test tank in the Netherlands, designing, building and testing scaled models of the hull on ‘AUSTRALIA.The yacht was built of marine grade aluminium by experienced boat builder Steve Ward, in Perth, Western Australia during 1976. Compared to its main US Rival ‘COURAGEOUS’, ‘AUSTRALIA (KA-5) looked to be the faster boat. It was 1,500 kgs lighter in weight, designed with a low freeboard, the lead ballast keel based on aircraft wing profiles to minimise drag, had a ‘V’ mid-ship section, considerable bustle aft, clean lines and wide transom. Following the launch of ‘AUSTRALIA’ (KA-4) in February 1977 the yacht was based at Yanchep, where she carried out sea trials and crew training with Alan Bonds earlier boat ‘SOUTHERN CROSS’. Shipped to the US in 1980, ‘AUSTRALIA’ first sailed against the French challenge ‘FRANCE’ (F-1), the Swedish yacht ‘SVERIGE’ (S-3) and the Australian yacht ‘GRETEL II’ (KA-3) winning against them all the right to challenge the America yacht. The 1977 America’s Cup challenge was not a success and Alan Bond was keen to design and build a new yacht for the 1980 challenge series. Ben Lexcen was still convinced the yacht was a winner if the hull was redesigned and a new rig and sails added. By this time Johan Valentijn had left to work in France with Dufour on the design and build of the 12mR ‘FRANCE III’. Ben Lexcen redesigned the hull of ‘AUSTRALIA’ (KA-5), changing the keel shape and making the aft bustle lower and larger. The yacht performed well, beating the British boat ‘LIONHEART’ (K-18) the Swedish yacht ‘SVERIGE’ and the new ‘FRANCE III’ (F-3). During the trials Ben Lexcen noticed the British yacht ‘LIONHEART’ was fitted with a mast which could be adjusted at the top by several feet. This so called ‘bendy’ mast, when pulled back, could add extra sail area to the mainsail, provided a clear advantage in some wind conditions. The Australian team decided to build a similar bendy mast on site which did prove a success, but ultimately the America yacht ‘FREEDOM’ (US-30) won the 1980 America’s Cup. After the 1980 America Cup challenge ‘AUSTRALIA’ was sold to Peter de Savary and the British Victory syndicate and re-named ‘TEMERAIRE’ who used the yacht as a trial and test boat for the 12mR ‘VICTORY 82 (K-21). The 12mR ‘AUSTRALIA’ was bought by Syd Fisher in 1985 as test boat for the East Australian America’s Cup Defence team. The yacht later underwent a complete restoration in 2004 and was acquired by the Australia 12m Historic Trust in 2011. Today ‘AUSTRALIA’ (KA-5) is still afloat, located near Drummoyne, in Sydney.SignificanceIn the 1977 America’s Cup series at Newport Rhode Island, the 12mR ‘AUSTRALIA’ (KA-5) raced against the Swedish and French challengers, as well as another Australian yacht ‘GRETEL II’, for the right to challenge for the cup. ‘AUSTRALIA’ (KA-5) won the trials but failed to win the America’s Cup that year. This table of offsets is part of the re-design and re-build work, carried out by Ben Lexcen on ‘AUSTRALIA’ (KA-5) in 1979 for the 1980 America’s cup series.